Sinking into the couch, Anika finally faced the truth that Leonel had no feelings for her. If he had, he wouldn't be setting her up to marry someone else.

What a heartless man he was!

Only now did Anika see Leonel's true colors, yet she couldn't just let go.

The next day, during a meeting, Leonel's phone wouldn't stop ringing.

The calls were from an unknown number.

Finally, he answered, and unsurprisingly, it was Anika. Her voice was gentle as she said, "I'm at the train station. Could you come see me one last time?"

Holding the phone, Leonel walked to the French window and replied, annoyed, "I'm not coming, Anika. You'd better follow my instructions, or I'll have someone make sure you do."

Hearing his words, Anika burst into laughter and said casually, "I knew you wouldn't come see me! But Leonel, I'm taking your sweetheart with me. You'll have to come here yourself!" After a brief pause, she continued, "Come on, sweetie, say hi to your dad... Did you hear that, Leonel? This is your adorable daughter. Just look at her tiny face. It's so precious. What if I marred that sweet face with some burning charcoal? How do you think Alexis would react?"

Leonel was taken aback and replied urgently, "Anika, please, don't do anything rash!"

Unfazed, Anika smiled and said, “Well... Feeling regrets now? Well, it's too late! You've only got yourself to blame, Leonel. You used to cherish me like a precious gem, and we were happy. But now you say you don't want me and just toss me aside. Since I've lost everything, I might as well drag you down with me. I shouldn't have to suffer alone, right?"

Meanwhile, Leonel could hear Evelyn's soft cries on the phone.

His anxiety mounting, Leonel softened his voice and said, “Anika, I'll do anything you want, just please let my daughter go!"

Tears filled her eyes as Anika uttered, “Really? You can promise anything? Leonel... I should feel moved and happy that you're finally willing to talk to me. But why can't I find myself to believe you, huh? Now you say you'll do anything for me. But later, you'll probably send me to jail or a mental hospital..."

After that, she hung up the phone.

Leonel stood in shock. At that moment, Noreen ran up to him, her face pale. "The apartment's on fire. Not only is Evelyn trapped inside, but Alexis is too..."

Hearing this, Leonel nearly lost his footing.

Just then, a message popped up on his phone. "Alexis is ready to sacrifice her life for her daughter's. But... I won't let her have that chance!"

The phone slipped from his hand and shattered.

Sirens wailed as fire engines raced past. Leonel didn't even remember how he got there. By the time he reached the apartment building, flames were shooting up into the sky.

The police sealed off the area. Some residents managed to escape the building just in time, their faces smeared with soot from the thick smoke.